Simola

The course was in very good condition. We started the round in pouring rain but as the drainage was excellent the wet conditions did not affect play. The greens were true and the bunkers consistent. The variety in the design of the holes ensures that every shot is a challenge. Simola is a must play course when visiting the Garden Route.

Simola needs attention in terms of manicuring to get back to the quality of where it used to be. Kikuyu has taken over.

Simola is continuing its bunker upgrade programme but for now the bunkers were inconsistent and there were numerous plugged lies among our group following recent rain. I am sure the consistency will improve. I was happier with the fairways which were firm and running. Preferred lies were optional. Simola has an outstanding short game practice facility. And the halfway house experience is terrific; an attractive setting overlooking the course, conveniently close to the starting tees.

Simola always will be a strong test and we enjoyed its great condition. The views over Knysna never get old.

The Simola experience has evolved over the years at this Nicklaus course which deservedly sits in the Top 20. The aesthetics and views are difficult to match with the elevated tee shot on the par-4 second a favourite of many. The view over Knysna and the lagoon is spectacular and distracts from the challenge of the cleverly designed greens complexes. The surfaces are superb and run true and quick, especially on downhill sliders. The hilly terrain requires you to negotiate sidehill lies, and accurate placement of tee shots and approaches is critical. The downhill 13th plays as stroke 2 with an awkward approach to a green far below the crest of the fairway, fronted by a large bunker. The 17th is a testing par 3, even from 106m off the white tees. Water short, bunkers left and right. a sloping green, a true nerve tester. Simola is beautifully presented and a “must play” in the Garden Route. Excellent clubhouse service.

Enjoyed the course so much I bought a stand and proceeded to build within weeks.

Best course on the Garden Route. Spectacular scenery and surrounds, and the course is well maintained.

Simola and Pezula occupy two of the most stunning golf course sites in the Garden Route, one in the hills and one on the cliffs. Both designed by Americans, both golf cart compulsory, another connection between them is possessing two of the more awkwardly challenging opening holes to begin the day on a golf tour. Both are lengthy par 5s, and not the sort of three-shot holes that gift you simple pars. I was relieved playing at Simola to learn we were starting our round on the tenth, because of work being done on the fairway bunkers at No 1. No 10 is a strong par 4, but I'd prefer to face that than a testing 500-metre par 5 that requires a solid drive, then an exceptionally good second shot to squeeze over a ridge into the fairway short of the green, so that you can see the flag for your third shot. Anything short of that ridge leaves you with a blind approach. I'd rather play it when I'm warmed up. Simola provided us with a brilliant day's golf though. It is an exceptional experience, a fabulous variety of holes, clever design features, breathtaking scenery and world-class greens.

Simola is a breathtaking experience. The current conditioning is excellent, with the greens and fairways among the best in the Southern Cape. Simola provides interesting design variety, challenging approaches and well placed bunkers. The five par 3s are varied in length and slope, with the sixth being stroke 1. The back tee here plays well over 200m. Many of the par 4s begin from elevated tees, No 2 being the most memorable. The views across the course are outstanding. There are five par 5s to provide scoring opportunities, and the uphill 18th is a good finishing hole. Knysna is an excellent golf destination, with three varied courses to play.

Lovely course layout. Kikuyu grass taking over, needs a little more care.

Spectacular views, and the forests on the estate feel like something out of the USA. I love Jack Nicklaus courses, other than having to rake his large bunkers. Simola has a bit of everything to the design.

I’m yet to have a poor experience at Simola and have played the course many times. The conditioning isn’t at the same level as Fancourt but the course is different and its magnificence lies in the undulations and use of elevation across 18 holes. There are no noticeably weak holes. Greens were in excellent condition.

What an experience and pleasure to play this course with its tremendous views of the Heads and the Knysna Lagoon.

Those who know Simola will be familiar with its fabulous white sand complexes (93 bunkers, many built to help keep players safe from stray golf balls in specific areas on a narrow layout). But over time these evolve and the sand deteriorates. In 2021 Simola completed their front nine bunker restoration project, improving aesthetics, playability and maintenance (redoing drainage and replacing sand) under the supervision of Nicklaus senior design associate Sean Quinn (he has done a similar project at Pearl Valley). Previously after heavy rain it would take hours to pump out water and salvage collapsed bunker faces. These sheer faces have been lowered to leave a flatter playing surface. Some out-of-play bunkers are being removed, with other fairway bunkers converted to waste areas with low edges where golfers can ground their clubs (on the fourth, ninth and 12th). It's estimated the total bunker footprint will be reduced by 20-30%. This should negate the slow play for which Simola has a reputation, and increase enjoyment of the course. Simola had one of their best December holiday seasons with 3800 rounds.

Driving up the winding old road from the Knysna Lagoon to the Simola resort, the anticipation builds. Expectations are high for a Top 20 course. And Simola delivers with amazing views and a well manicured course. It has a few fun holes and is great to play on holiday, especially if you catch it on a good day as then it is not particularly difficult. However, I suspect a big defence for the course (in addition to the numerous bunkers) are the prevailing coastal winds. An additional par 3 and a par 5 on the back nine deviate from the traditional layout but maintain a 72 par. Big hitters need to show restraint in chasing the driveable par 4s and eagles on par 5s as there is a lot of sand and danger to offer protection. The best part of the day for me was having a crack at the green on the elevated 321-metre par-4 second . . . just fun! What could be improved: a course marshal to assist the holiday hackers keep up with play!

A wonderful experience. Service outstanding, Aesthetics breathtaking, with a golf course to match. I suggest a stay in the hotel to complete the experience. You will not be disappointed. Get into the health spa to warm up before golf.

The course has become damp and muddy as we enter winter, so it is playing long and divots are deep. Best to tee off later in the day when it's warm, not first thing in the morning! The long opening par 5 hole is particularly slushy, which makes it an even tougher proposition than it usually is. I was surprised to see golf carts allowed on the fairways as there are steep slopes leading off the cart paths, and there were serious skid marks everywhere from carts attempting to climb back up the slopes. The greens remain superb, and are a feature of this memorable layout.

Simola is a fantastic experience and while the course sees a lot of traffic, once you tee off on the first you get the sense you are out on your own, with wide fairways and established trees framing many holes. The course was wet when we played it, making it longer than usual on the front nine. But once the sun came out and the course had dried out, it was transformed into a ball striker's heaven. Simola requires good shots, and the undulating fairways reward position off the tee. I was impressed with the conditioning all round. As always the staff at the estate and golf course were amazing.

10 out of 10 for this spectacular layout and course. Conditioning at its peak most of the year.

Simola is looking in great shape following good rains and well looked after.

Course is in a wonderful condition and the greens are superb.

Simola offers one of the most challenging bunker experiences the average golfer will face on a South African golf course. They get into your head as early as the second hole, and defend this layout immensely well. The creatively designed Jack Nicklaus bunker complexes are a magnificent feature, and only by managing to avoid them will you get the better of this scenic wonder. There are close to 100 bunkers and they are spacious and deep. Crucially, they come into play on so many holes, both off the tee and around the greens, that you need to have the management skills to shape your shots past them. My favourite complex is the large expanse of sand which intimidatingly fronts the par-5 12th green like the barrier of a fortress. And a similar challenge awaits at the uphill par-5 15th. Your heart is in your mouth as you watch your approach shots attempt to scale them.

Simola is a spectacular course to play. Sadly the bunkers, a major feature of this Nicklaus course, were in variable condition. Some with soft thick sand and others with so little sand that playing a successful bunker shot was near impossible.

World-class course; great design variety and aesthetically easy on the eye. Some tough holes and challenging approaches. A great course to test your golfing skills.

Wonderful layout, beautiful views! The course was perfect, particularly the greens.

Very good Nicklaus signature course, with spectacular views and elevation changes. Great design variety, making it an interesting and testing course to play. Condition usually outstanding.